GENERAL MEETING
Bowburn & Parkhill Community Partnership - Charity Number 1112151
Tuesday 21 June 2011 from 6.55pm
Present: B Bates, M Bell, J Blackburn, J Blakey, R Cowen (Till 7.15pm), J Geyer, K Griffiths, K Haigh, D Hindshaw,
John Kane, G Kitson, D Paget, W Rumney, S Sudder, S Thompson, R Walsh (Chair), S Walworth, C Zand
In Attendance: PC Cockburn, G Marsden, M Ridley
1. Apologies for absence: J Anson, S Raine, A Richardson, M Robinson, S Robinson, J Shields, J Sudder, M
Syer, M Williams
2. Police: PC Cockburn reported the following incidents over the last 5 weeks – Parkhill 0 Crime; Cassop 1
criminal damage; Bowburn 3 Burglary, 13 Theft, 6 Criminal Damage (with one arrest).
Take note: There has been an increase in theft and criminal damage of vehicles because cars are easy targets.
PC Cockburn was thanked for his report when he left the meeting at 6.40pm.
3. Masterplan Updates – Economic Regeneration Team Leader’s report and Project Leaders:
i)Highways: A meeting of the sub-group is to be arranged for next month.
At this meeting Cllr Blakey made members aware of:
*A draft consultation process for speed calming on Tail-upon-End Lane at the bend in the road towards the filling
station. There could be 3 speed cushions before and after the corner plus a chicane at the green in Henry Avenue.
A member asked that the ‘cushions’ were not too high to damage disabled scooters.
*A plan to show a possible hard-stand for parking at Heath Close.
*Road closure of one lane on the A688 from Thinford to Tursdale.
*Bus lane at Croxdale – members did not feel that would affect those living in Bowburn and had no comment on it.
ii) Parkhill: Residents overlooking the footpath to the park have received the consultation leaflets, which are to be
returned in June.
iii) Community Centre: The Sub Group have agreed the following actions:-
VEST Retention Monies are about to be released; White Lining to Front Car Park - Youll has undertaken this work.
1Servery Quotations – Howden’s were the chosen company (supply only). Max cost of £1665.20 agreed.
Fitting Estimates – Unfortunately these were not all like for like quotes. Group to request new quote and include for
the following:- Fit White Rock to Walls; Fit new Kitchen Units and Worktop Surfaces; Fit new door and door frame;
Plumb in sink, hot water boiler and dishwasher.
Millennium Decorators - Price obtained for games room, requesting exact works to be included and request that the
ceiling is papered.
Roof Quotations – Three quotations have been received, and the group is to seek further clarity on the following:-
References, guarantee period, payment schedule for works i.e. payment upon completion, removal of all spoil from
the site. Once this is received the contract will be let.
Disappointingly, the Community Centre did not get the film contract, but the finances are in a good position.
iv) Youth Centre: The AGM will be held on Wednesday 7th September. New volunteers are very much needed to
join the management committee.
A Fund Day is being arranged for 24 September to celebrate the opening of the outdoor area.
v) Environment update regarding the three schemes agreed at the last meeting:-
*Mary Terrace Footpath - Technicians have commenced work on the detailed design of the scheme. This will
provide a fixed price for the work, which will only alter if unforeseen circumstances arise during construction.
At the same time notices are being prepared to advertise the proposed works on site as the land is currently
unregistered. Works are expected to commence in September 2011.
*Lighting Broadmeadows to Tail upon End Lane - Traffic colleagues have advised that the speed reduction
proposals are being drawn up and have support from the police. It will however be subject to full consultation and
formal approvals. Again Sept/Oct at the earliest for works to start.
*Runcie Road / Mabey footpath - The estimate for street lighting is £28,000. The landowner is unknown so again an
advert will be required, and a consultation with nearby residents is also required.
Julie will arrange for a detailed design and estimate. It would be best to do all the works at the same time.
*The Three Streets Scheme - Highway and lighting design are complete, but we are waiting for a fixed price
estimate for the scheme.
Julie expects to have this information prepared by the end of this month and will report back at the next meeting.
vi) Park Project: Work has finished to level and seed the former basketball/tennis area.
A site meeting has taken place to investigate the path at the back of Broadmeadows with Philip Alderson, Stephen
Hawley, Julie and a resident of Broadmeadows. Julie is awaiting a cost for an additional drainage channel to be
sited at the rear of Broadmeadows.
All members were invited to the re-opening of the football field on 10 July at 9am accompanied by the Ohio band.
vii) Regeneration:
a) Fund: Nothing to report.
b) Working Group: No questions.
c) Walkabout and housing Issues: The builders are off site and working in other areas.
The green on the Tail-upon-End site appears to be quite a large area and it was suggested that part of it could be
used as a toddler play area.
viii) East Durham Rural Corridor AAP:
Office Relocation to 15a Church Road, Trimdon Village, but post goes to Central Post Room, Admin – Room 5-10
LG88, Co Hall. Phone: 03000 261129 (J Bellis), 03000 261128 (S Stephenson/M Ainscough).
*AAP Review Questionnaire
The Overview and Scrutiny Team have to undertake a Review of the Council’s Area Action Partnerships to consider
if AAPs are “fit for purpose”, and “fit for the future”. As part of the review please complete a questionnaire on your
views and experiences of the AAPs, found on www.durham.gov.uk/scrutiny; or contact Stephen Gwillym, Principal
Overview and Scrutiny Officer on 383 3149
*Election of Chair/Vice Chair for 2011/12: At the AGM the following were appointed:- Andrew Thompson – Public
Representative – Chair; Colin Steel – Statutory Partner – Vice Chair; Cllr Jan Blakey – Councillors – Vice Chair
*Become of Forum Member of East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership.
Communities across the county can get involved in working with the County Council. AAPs are in all areas of the
County to help deliver services, and give local people and organisations a say on how services are provided.
2East Durham Rural Corridor AAP is made up of an Area Forum and an Area Board to identify and tackle issues in
local communities. AAPs put plans and actions in place to deliver services where they are most needed.
If you are interested in becoming a Forum member contact M Ainscough on 03000 261128 or e-mail,
marie.ainscough@durham.gov.uk, or our web page http://www.durham.gov.uk/eastdurhamruralaap for details.
*The Forum Event is on 6 July 2011 at Trimdon Station Community Centre. To register contact M Ainscough.
ix) Future Plans for the Partnership:
Ms Jill Davis of the planning company and Mr Mike Redshaw the land owner will ask for ideas concerning the
proposed Parkhill Village housing and light industrial units opposite Parkhill Estate at the meeting on 19 July.
The secretary has not heard from the Council or Regeneration Company about an update to the village Masterplan.
(Cllr
Blakey)
It was agreed to contact planning again to have the protected crossing and right hand turn installed at the former
Cape site as there are more than 25 occupied dwellings necessary in the planning condition. (Cllr Blakey)
Members wanted small industry to feature in the above housing developments to secure jobs for the future.
Janet meets with staff at New College next week to discuss the computer training course for September.
4.Minutes:
(i) Approval of minutes for the AGM on 17 May 2011: This will be done at the July meeting when members have had
sight of the AGM minutes.
(ii) Minutes of General meeting, 17 May 2011, were approved as a true record and agreed by members.
Actions from the May meeting have been dealt at this meeting.
5. Trustees meeting 3 May 2011:
The Open Space Plan was updated (See Item 3ix).
6. Correspondence:
> LINk news distributed
> Houses of Parliament Outreach free workshop on 24 June.
> There are various consultations on the County Durham website: Please note the end date of 8 July 2011.
Towards a Waste Delivery Strategy http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/twdscd
Towards a Strategy for Low Carbon Energy http://durhamcc-onsult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/tlcesfcd
Interim Habitats Regulation Assessment http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/csihra
Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cdp_ce/icssa
7. Items of Any Other Business: Anaerobic Digester, Turning circle, Footpath 29; Horses, Council houses,
Rubbish bin, Atkinson’s paper shop.
8. Treasurer’s Report:
> Finances: Income: £12.20 from tea/raffle minus £1 for refreshments.
Expenditure: A payment of £11.75 to the secretary for a box of copying paper.
> Raffle prize: > Quiz: K Haigh won the prize donated by S Walworth.
The ‘Wedding Fever’ quiz is on sale for fundraising at £1
9. Reports and matters arising:
i) Parish Council:
18th May 2011 At the AGM in May, Andrew Shutt and Sylvia Raine were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair
At the monthly May meeting Jill Davis of Davis Planning Partnership outlined the proposals of their client Redscape
Ltd for a development at Park Hill: this includes provision of 291 dwellings plus business units, shopping facilities
and community facilities on a 12 hectare site between the B6291 and the line of the Clarence Railway. No planning
application has as yet been made but Councillors were asked for their views. The lack of infrastructure such as
schools, doctors’ surgeries etc was pointed out to Ms Davis and Mike Redshaw of Redscape.
Also in May, members considered plans for a Garden of Remembrance to be constructed within the cemetery;
plans had been drawn up by Councillor Jimmy Robinson following a site visit by various Councillors in April. This is
to be funded by “double taxation relief” from the County Council, granted because the Parish Council has full
responsibility for the cemetery, a function usually funded by the County. Following consultation with the staff at
building services to check on construction details, the Parish was to seek price quotations for the plans.
315th June 2011: Members were given details of the Boundary Committee report for County Durham and were
disappointed that no mention had been made of the proposal to include the “Cape” site within Cassop-cum-
Quarrington Parish. The Clerk was asked to write to the appropriate authority regarding this, as both Parish
Councils were in favour of it.
Elaine Field (Parish Paths Partnership officer) was to be invited to a special meeting to discuss access and
maintenance issues of footpaths within the Parish. Next meeting Wednesday 20th July (Cassop)
The parish councillor for Cassop described some anti-social behaviour after a Fun Day in the playing field when the
PCOs were not respected.
ii) The County Durham Plan will be discussed until 8 July on http://durhamcc-onsult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning
or telephone 0300 123 7070
iii) Quarry: Cold Knuckles is to start in July and Tarmac has been very helpful about the application. A suitable path
for horses is still to be confirmed, which would require an application to close the top path.
iv) 12 Villages: There is a July meeting, but members at this meeting agreed that future reports were not required.
10. Group Noticeboard: Please contact the representatives after the meeting if you have any questions.
> Banner: It is only 2 weeks from the Gala celebrations – the Ohio Band will be performing at the 8 July Concert.
Tickets – Adults £3 Children £2. 9 July Gala.
>BVC: The June Interchange is out. A member said she enjoyed this edition and felt it was an easy read.
>Church: No report.
>Football Teams: The teams supported the Robbie Jones charity day. 10 July is the re-opening ceremony with
members of the Ohio marching band; Cllrs Williams and Blakey are to donate a trophy to the winning team of the
challenge trophy. 2 July is the presentation night for 125 players. The U8, U9, U10s have a split season, playing in
the summer and spring. There is a new website donated and designed by parents.
>History (M Bell): The meeting was cancelled.
>Website: (G Hutchinson) No report.
11. Any Other Business:
Anaerobic Digester – Construction work started then stopped.
Turning vehicles at Old Quarrington – there is no progress.
Footpath 29 – there is no further information on the blocking off of the path.
Horses – members are concerned that horses are galloping in the play park at Bowburn. They are worried that
there will be an accident in a designated playing area for children.
Council houses – a member was concerned that single council tenants in 3 / 4 bedroom houses may have to move
into a smaller property. However there is no definite policy at this present time. Also refurbishment of council houses
will take place through a joint buying scheme with other councils.
Rubbish bin – there is a need for a bin at the well-used bus stop opposite the Hare and Greyhound.
Atkinson’s paper shop – should be under new management and opening very soon.
12. Date and Time of Next Meetings:
19 July 2011 at 6.30pm in Bowburn Community Centre.
Meeting dates for 2011: 16 Aug, 20 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 20 Dec
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